by MICHAEL OTTO
A Catholic marae in Auckland featured in a recent international television programme about war stories and memorabilia.
Sir Tony Robinson, of the TV show Tony Robinson: Tour of Duty, talks war to locals at Auckland Museum.
Te Unga Waka Marae in Epsom was the setting for part of the Tony Robinson: Tour of Duty series, which screened locally on the History Channel on Sky in the lead-up to Anzac Day.
English actor Sir Tony Robinson, who portrayed Baldrick in the Blackadder series, was welcomed onto the marae late last year.
He interviewed Joe Shelford-Tuki, the grandson of Charlie Shelford, DCM, about his grandfather’s war exploits.
Charlie Shelford, who died in 1984, was a volunteer at the Auckland Catholic Maori Centre, Te Unga Waka, in later life.
In World War II, Private Shelford, a member of the 28th (Maori) Battalion, was recommended
for the Victoria Cross after single-handedly capturing 40 Italian soldiers in an engagement
in Libya in late 1941.
An article on the online Encyclopaedia of New Zealand states that Private Shelford showed “outstanding heroism and courage” in the face of enemy fire, and was wounded while clearing
an enemy trench.
But, as Tony Robinson recounted, Private Shelford might have been a hero on the battlefield, but was a bit of a demon off it.
Joe Shelford-Tuki recounted how his grandfather had been spotted wearing a woman’s dress — as a
disguise — and pushing a pram while looting behind enemy lines, unbeknown to his commanding officers.
And when General Freyberg came to award Private Shelford the DCM, the soldier had to be temporarily released from military jail to receive it.
Even then, in front of the General, Private Shelford managed to“smack over” one of the military police, with whom he “had a gripe”.
So he received his medal, saluted and was marched back to jail.
Nonetheless, Joe Shelford-Tuki said he is very proud to be Charlie Shelford’s grandson.
“He left a big legacy behind.”
A kapa haka group from St Peter’s College in Epsom took part in the traditional welcome for Tony Robinson.
The actor said many people in England “simply don’t know about the sacrifices Maori made in war”.
“Lets’ hope this programme will do you proud,” he said
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